Automatic target



Jan. 5, 1943. McAvOY 2,307,147

' AUTOMATIC TARGET Filed Aug. 2, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 1' INVENTOR FRANK E. McAVOY B a m ATTo NEYS Jani5, F. MQAVOY AUTOMATIC TARGET Filed Aug. 2, 1940 2 Sheets-Shem! 2' INVENTOR FRANK E. MC AVOY Patented Jan. 5, 1943 STTES ,FFlCE AUTOMATIC TARGET Application August 2, 1940, Serial No. 349,706

for controlling the operation of a plurality of 8 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in target apparatus for shooting ranges and more particularly to apparatus for automatically and selectively controlling the movements of a member, such as a target, and the timing of the periods between movements.

In target practice, moving and bobbing targets are especially desirable for practicing and testing for alertness of marksmanship and for rapid firing. In this connection it is important that the timing of the target operation be accurate and that the appearing or bobbing characteristics thereof be easily and readily variable, both as to the interval-of the target in on or firing position and the interval of the target in oil or invisible position; it is also important that the bobbing of the target be continued for a particular number of cycles in the desired on and ofi timed relationship. It is also desirable to operate a plurality of bobbing targets either in synchronism or in a selective and unpredictable manner. v

One of the objects of the invention, therefore, is to provide means for controlling the movement of a member, such as a target, capable of satisfying all of the above and other desired requirements.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel timer control operable to alternatively effect energization and deenergization of a means for a predetermined number of cycles; and which is adjustable to vary the periods of energization and deenergization.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved operating means for the target capable of effecting the desired moving and bobbing characteristics.

A further object of the invention is to provide an automatic control for movable targets which is relatively simple and economical to install and operate.

The above and additional objects and features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side view, partly in section, of a shooting range utilizing the invention;

Figure 2 is a side view of a target shown in the firing or on position;

Figure 3 is .a sectional view of a target operating means and a reversing relay associated therewith, and

Figure 4 is a wiring diagram of a timing means movable targets.

Figure 1 shows a shooting range having a shooting booth A and bench a. The target is shown generally at B. A back-stop C and sand pit D are arranged behind the target. At E the controlling mechanism is housed and the wiring in the conduit F leads to the target operating,

mechanism l4,

A plurality of movable'targetsmay be located in a row at the rear of the range, and a plurality of booths A may be located adjacent each other at the other end of the range. Each shooter occupies a separate booth and shoots at a separate target. For convenience of illustration I shall describe five targets and five booths. The target IE! is shown in Figure 2 in a frontal or on position facing the shooter. The target it in Figure l is shown in an off position or with the edge of the target facing the shooter. Each target is provided with operating mechanism I4 which is located below the floor level in a pit above which a target supports 16 extends. The target l0 may be attached to the support l6 by a bracket and bolt assembly l8.

or by other suitable means. The target operating. mechanism rotates the target through 90- in moving it from on to ofi position. The target normally is in oil position and is moved to on position so as to face the shooter. It is held in this position for a fixed interval, generally several seconds, after which it is again turned to off position. The shooter must fire while the target is facing him during the on interval. The target is then moved to and held in off position for another, usually longer, interval, and then is again moved to on position and held there for the fixed firing interval during which the shooter must fire the second shot. The number. of shots to be fired varies, usually from one to five, so that it is desirable that the target shall operate through a complete preselected cycle of from one to five times and then remain in off position. In addition, it is desirable to beable to pre-set the on interval and the oil interval for different lengths of time or to change them during a single firing cycle.

It is also desirable that the target operating mechanism move the target from on to off position as rapidly as possible and to hold it fixed and steady in these positions. All of the above is accomplished in the manner to be described.

In Figure 3 of the drawings the target carrier i4 is shown to comprise a stationary memher or stator I!) which includes two pairs of oppositely disposed poles and 2t, and 22 and 23 together with a centrally disposed armature or rotor 24 which is provided with two pairs of permanent magnets or poles 26 and 21, and 23 and 29. The target support It is attached to the rotor 26. The stator poles 2D and 2|, and 22 and 23 are suitably wound so that when the current is flowing in one direction, the poles 20 and 21 will be north, and the poles 22 and 23 will be south. When the current is flowing in the other direction the poles will have the opposite polarity. The polarity of the armature poles 26 and 27 are south while the poles 28, 29 are north,

and this polarity is permanent. This arrangement of the stator and armature is such that when the windings are energized for a given polarity, the armature poles 26 to 29 will be attracted and repelled to positions adjacent stator poles of unlike polarity.

When energization of the windings of the stator poles 2D to 23 are reversed by changing the direction of the current, the armature 24 will be subjected to a substantial torque including both attracting and repelling forces capable of effecting a quick angular movement; thus moving the target supported thereby through an angle of 90. In the arrangement of four armature and four stator poles, the combination of attracting and repelling forces provides a resulting torque which is eight times greater than the attracting or repelling force between two poles. If desired, a lesser or greater number than the four-pole arrangement illustrated may be provided.

It is obvious that the stator poles may be permanent magnets and the rotor poles changed in polarity by placing windings on them connected to the circuit through slip rings.

The rotor is normally biased off dead center by suitable means, such, for example, as by providing resilient stop means (not shown) to urge the armature poles 25, 21 and 28, 7.9 from a position diametrically opposite the stator poles 2:] to 23. The armature being thus urged toward a position off dead center, the armature will always be capable of immediate response to changes in stator polarity.

The target carrier relay 32 shown in Figure 2 operates to change the direction of the current in the stator windings and comprises a solenoid 33 controlled by the energization of the circuit 131. When the solenoid 33 is energized the switches 36 and 3! are actuated to reverse the connections of the line L1 and L2 with respect to the windings of the stator poles 2,0. to 23. Thus, upon energization of the relay 32' the polarity of the stator poles. is reversed, and when the relay is deenergized the polarity is again reversed to that which it was prior to the energization of the relay. Each time the. relay is energized, the target changes its position from an edgewise or off position to a frontal or on position and remains in on position as long as the relay is energized.

In Figure 4 of the drawings, I have shown a control circuit including a timer T1 which controls the. period during which a target is in on position and another timer T2 which controls the period of time during which the target is in 01f relays 32. The number of cycles of coordinated operation of the timers T1 and T2 is controlled by the manual setting of a selector means MS.

The timers T1 and T2 are identical and of a well known automatic reset type, so that only one need be briefly described. Referring to the timer T1, the movable contact 44 is normally maintained in engagement with contact 46 and caused to move therefrom and engage a second contact 41 at the termination of the timing period for which the timer is set. The movable contact 44 remains in engagement with the contact 4'! until the timer is deenergized, whereupon the movable contact 4-! reengages the contact 46. The timer is provided with a dial 48 and an index member that is set by hand to indicate and set the timing period. The timer is operated electrically by the circuits [3 and 16.

The timer T2 is likewise provided with a movable contact 54 which is adapted to be moved from the normal position (illustrated) at the'end of the timing period for which the" timer is set to a position in engagement with the contact 51.

The manual selector means MS comprises a manually operable index and a plurality of contacts I to 5; if desired a lesser or greater number of contacts may be provided. When the index 69 is positioned in engagement with one of the contacts I to 5 the number of timing cycles is thereby determined. For example, where the index 50 engages contact No. 2, the target will be actuated automatically by the control system so as to be moved from an of? position to on position for the duration of the timing period of the timer T1, then to an off" position where it remains for the time set for the timer T2;- then again to an on position for the time period of timer T1, and finally to the ofi" position. Thus, the control effects two bobbing operations of the target, the control thereafter discontinuing the bobbing operation. Should the index be set at No. 5, it would produce 5 of the target bobbing operations, i. e., five separate operations in which the target faces the shooter.

The timing intervals for T1- and T2 may be changed during a cycle. For example, MS may be set for 5 bobbing operations, the oninterval set for 3 seconds on timer T1 and the off interval for 5 seconds. After three bobbing operations at these intervals the range master may move the timers so as to set T1 for 5' seconds and T2 for 15 seconds. The last two bobbing operations of the cycle will follow the latter set timing intervals.

The mechanism for control of this cycling operation comprises a plurality of contacts la to 5a connected with the corresponding contacts I to A movable contact 62. is operatively associated with these contacts and moves one stel for each bobbing operation until it reaches the corresponding contact representing the number of cycles for which the selector MS is set. The contact 62 is controlled by a ratchet 64, a pawl mechanism 65 and a reset spring 66. During timing operations the. ratchet mechanism 65 is arranged for actuation by a stepping relay SR which is energized upon each energization of the timer T1 as hereinafter described. A reset relay RR is provided to disengage the pawl mechanism 65 with respect to the ratchet 6.4, when the predetermined number of cycles have been completed. whereby the spring 65 is permitted to return the contact 52 to the initial position shown in Figure 4.

Wire B1 (Figure 4) leads to the relay 33 (Figure 3), and wires B2 to B lead to four other relays similar to 33 each of which controls a separate target actuating mechanism I4.

It will be seen therefore that in a range comprising five targets in a row at the rear end of the range and five booths at the front end of the range, there will be five target operating mechanisms I4, the first one being controlled by an impulse, through wire B1, the second one being controlled by an impulse through B2, etc.

There may be times when less than five men are shooting at the same time. For eample, ii men are shooting only from booths l and 2, only the first and second targets need be operated. In this event, the range master will close switch es S1 and S2 and the impulses from the timing control which com through wire 83 will be sent only through wires B1 and B2. If five men are shooting all five switches S1 to S5 will be closed.

If desired the range master may alternate the operation of the targets by closing some of the switches during some of the cycles and then closing others. Also, he may interrupt the action of any of the targets part way in its cycle by opening the switch corresponding to that target. If manual control is desired, instead of automatic timing, this can be done by means of push buttons P1 to P5. If P1 is pushed, a circuit from L2, through P1 B1, :elay 33 to L1 is completed. It is apparent that as long as the contact P1 is kept closed the first target will remain in on position and will return to off position.

All of the mechanism, switches and push-buttons shown in Figure 4 are located at E in Figure l, and generally in the form of a panel on the range masters desk. It will be seen that by the controls described, the range master is enabled to operate any or all of the targets in any manner, manually or automatic.

The operation and coordination of the automatice timers, the selector means MS and the associated relays are described as follows:

To initiate a control operation, the timers T1 and T2 are set to indicate the periods of time during which the target or other movable means is to be maintained in on position and then in off position. For example, it may be desirable to set thetimer T1 to maintain a target in on position for one second and the timer T2 set for maintaining the target in ofi position for three seconds. This timing relation, however, is given by way of example only since various timing relations may be had by difierent settings on the timers T1 and T2. The number of cycles is set by the controls MS, and the number of targets to be actuated are set by switches S1 to S5.

After the timers T1 and T2 have been set for the desired timing relation, the starting button SB is closed, thereby energizing the timer T1 by energization of a relay R1. The relay circuit can be traced from the line L1 through wire I9, button SB, wire Ii, relay R1 and Wire I2 to line L2. The energization of relay R1 actuates switches I4 and I5 from open to closed positions. The closing of the switch I4 provides a holding circuit for the relay R1 from the line L1 through switch 44, contact 46, switch I4, relay R1 and wire I2. The closing of switch I5 completes a circuit energizing the timer T1 through wire I3 and I9. The closing of the switch I5 also completes a second circuit from the line L2 through switch I5, wires II, I8, relay R2 and wire I9 to the line L1.

The energization of the relay R2 actuates switches 89 and 82 from open to closed positions.

The closed switch completes a circuit from line L2 through the switch 89 and wire 83 to a bank of switches S1 to S5. Thus the target will turn to on position as soon as the circuit to wire 83 is completed.

Th closing of switch 82 completes a circuit from line L2 through switch 82, wire 94, stepping relay SR and wire 85 to the line L1. The energization of the relay SR operates the pawl mechanism 65 to ratchet the contact 62 one step from initial position to engagement with the contact la. The movement of the contact 62 from initial position permits the switch 99 to close completing a holding circuit for the relay R2. This circuit extends from line L2 through wire 9 I, contacts 92, 93, wire 94, switch 99, wire 95, contacts 96, 91, wire 98, wire I8, relay R2 and wire 19 to line L1 If the index 69 had been placed in engagement with contact No. I, a circuit would have been completed by the engagement of movable contact 62 and contact No. la to deenergize the system upon the termination of the timing period of timer T2.

Continuing the sequence of operation, the movable contact 44 will break engagement with the contact 46 upon the termination of the timing period for which the timer T1 is set, and engage the contact 41. The disengagement of the contacts 44, 46 deenergizes' relay R1, permitting the switches I4 and E5 to return to open position. While the closing of the switch 15 effected energization of the timer T1, the opening thereof does not deenergize the timer T1, since the holding circuit of relay R2 maintains the timer energized until the switch 92, 93 is opened.

The closing of the contacts 44, 41 completes a circuit from line L1 through wire I and locking relay LR2 to line L2. The energization of relay LR2 attracts the latch I92, thereby releasing the movable contact 92 which disengages the contact 93 and engages contact I04. The opening of the contacts 92, 93 opens the holding circuits to the timer T1 and relay R2, thereby deenergizing the timer. T1 and permitting the movable contact, 44 to reengage contact 46 and the switches 89 and 82 to open. The opening of switch 89 opens the circuit to wire 83, thereby deenergizing relays 33 and moving the target to off position. The opening of switch 82 operates to deenergize the stepping relay SR, to prepare the ratcheting device for a new ratchet movement of the contact 62.

The closing of the contacts 92, I03 by the energization of relay LR2 completes a circuit to energize the timer T2. The operation of the timer T2 controls the period during which power is cut ofi from the circuit 83.

At the termination of the timing period of timer T2, the switch 54 is moved to closed position with the contact 51 to establish a circuit from line L1 through wire I 04, relay LR1 and wire I95 to actuate the movable contact 92 to latched position. The closing of contacts 92, 93 establishes a circuit through wires 9I, 94, switch 99, wire 95, contacts 96, 91, wires 91, I8, relay R2 and wire I9 to line L1 to reenergize the relay R2. The closing of the contacts 92, 93 also establishes a circuit through the timer T1 leading from the junction to wires I8, 98 through wires 11 and I6, timer T1 and wire I3 to line L1, whereby the timer T1 is energized for a second on timing period. Th actuation of the switches 89 and 82 by reenergization of relay R2 provides for the energization of circuit 83 and also the energization of the stepping relay SR to move the contact 62 another step forward to contact 2a.

The contact 62 has now engaged contact 2a and if it is assumed that MS is set for two cycles by connection of index 6!] with contact No.. 2, a stop circuit is prepared for energization upon the termination of the timing period of timer T2. The timing period of timer T1, however, is first completed ending the energization of the circuit 83 and energizing the relay LR2 to effect reenergization of the timer T2 as hereinbefore described. After the termination of the timing period of timer T2 the switch 54 is moved into engagement with contact completing a circuit energizing relay R3. This circuit extends from the switch 54, 5! through wire I96, wire I01, relay R3, wire I98, index 60, contacts 2 and 2a, movable contact 62 and wire I89 to line L2. The energization of relay R3 completes a holding circuit for the relay through wire H0, contacts I I I, 96, wire 95, switch 90, contacts $2, 93 and wire 9| to line L2. The closing of switch H2 by energization of relay R3 completes the circuit of reset relay RR, the circuit being traced from line L1 through wire II 5, switch H2, wire H5, relay RR,

wires H6, I08, index 69, contacts 2, 2a movable contact 62 and wire I53 to line L2.

Immediately upon th energization of reset re lay RR. the pawl mechanism 65 is retracted to release the ratchet 6d whereupon the spring 66 re- 52 however, are maintained energized by a holding circuit until the switch 90 is opened, which for relay R3 includes from line L1 the wire H4, switch H2, wire I20, relay R3, wire Ilil, contacts Hi, 96, wire 95, switch 98, wire 96, contacts 92, S3 and wire 9i to line L1. The holding circuit for relay RR extends from line L1 through wire IM, switch H2, wire H5, relay RR, wires IIB, IIU, contacts Hi, 95, wire 95, switch 90, wire 94, contacts 92, 93 and wire 9| to line L2.

It will therefore be apparent that the relays R3 and RR are maintained energized until the movable contact 62' is completely reset to initial position where it opens switch 99 thereby deenergizing relays R3 and RR. The reset operation and resulting opening of the switch 90 breaks the circuit which would normally effect the reenergization of the timer T1 and the relay R2. Thus the system is automatically deenergized after the completion of the number of cycles for which the index 60 of the selector means has been set. t can be reinitiated by the push button SB.

To summarize the operation of the control system, the actuation of the starting button SB operates the relay R1 to eifect energization of the timer T1 to initiate the timing period and to energize through relay R2 th circuit 83 to switches S1 to S5 and target circuits B1 to E5,

the ratchet 64 at the same time being actuated r one step forward. After the termination of the timing period for which th timer T1 has been set, the contact 44 engages contact 4! energizing the relay 132. This causes the latch I02 to be tripped deenergizing the timer T1, and to deenergize the relay R2. The deenergization of the relay R2 in turn deenergizes the circuit 83, while the tripping of the latch I92 in effecting the closing of contacts 9-2, I83 energizes the timer T2 to initiate a timing period to determine the period during which the target circuit is deenergized.

Upon the expiration of the timing period for which the timer T2 has been set, relay LR1 is energized to relatch the movable contact 92, deenergize the timer T2 and reenergize the timer T1 and the relay R2. The energization of R2 reenergizes the circuit 83 and moves the contact 82 one step forward. Thus the cycle has been completed and a second cycle initiated.

This sequence of cycles energizing the targets between on and "01? positions continues until electrical connections have been established between the index and the movable contact 62. This connection completes a circuit which, upon termination of the next succeeding timing period of the timer T2 and the closing of the contacts 54, 57, operates to energize the relay R3 and the reset relay RR. These relays in turn efiect the resetting of the movable contact 62 and deenergization of the control system.

From the foregoing description it will be readily apparent that many changes and variations in the invention are possible. For example, while only a bobbing form of target carrier is shown, many other target movements and movements or energizations of other devices can be controlled by my invention. A member, such as a target, be moved up and down or given a lateral or to and fro movement or otherwise periodically energized, in accordance to the timing operating characteristics of my invention. It is to be understood, therefore, that the forms illustrated and described are to be regarded as illustrative of the invention only and not as limited to the following claims.

I claim:

1. A target, an actuating means therefor comprising motivatable means for supporting said target for movement between on and oii po sitions, a device for moving said target from one of said positions to another upon energization and deenergization thereof, timing means for controlling the period of energization of said device, and a second timing means for controlling the period of deenergization of said device.

2. A target, an actuating means therefor comprising motivatable means for supporting said target for movement between on and "off" positions, a device for moving said target from one of said positions to another upon energization and deenergization thereof, timing means for controlling the period of energization of said device, a second timing means for controlling the period of deenergization of said device, and means for coordinating said timing means for successively energizing and deenergizing said device.

3. A target, an actuating means therefor comprising motivatable means for supporting said target for movement between "on and off positions, a device for moving said target from one of said positions to another upon energization and deenergization thereof, a timer for controlling the periods of energization, a second timer for controlling the periods of deenergization, means responsive to the lapse of time for which the first mentioned timer has been set to deenergize said device and initiate operation of said second timer, and means responsive to the lapse of time for which said second timer has been set to reenergize said device and initiate operation of said first mentioned timer for new timing period.

4. A target, an actuating means therefor comprising motivatable means for supporting said target for movement between on and off positions, a device for moving said target from one of said positions to another upon energization and deenergization thereof, a timer for controlling the periods of energization, a second timer for controlling the periods of deenergization, presettable registering means operable to stop operation of said device upon completion of a predetermined number of cycles of operation, means operable to coordinate the timers for successively energizing and deenergizing said device, and to actuate said registering means once for each cycle of operation.

5. A target, an actuating means therefor comgizing and deenergizing operation when the said target for movement between on and oil positions, a device for moving said target from one of said positions to another upon energize.- tion and deenergization thereof, timin means for controlling the periods of energization and deenergization of said device, means settable for a predetermined number of cycles of energization and deenergization, and means associated with said settable means for stopping the energizing and deenergizing operationwhen the said predetermined number of cycles have been effected.

6. A target, an actuating means therefor comprising motivatable means for supporting said target for movement between on and o positions, a device for moving said target from one of said positions to another upon energization and deenergization thereof, timing means for controlling the periods of energization and deenergization of said device, means for registering each cycle of energization and deenergization, reset means for said registering means, and means operable upon completion of a desired number of cycles to effect operation of said reset means.

7. Target apparatus comprising a plurality of target motivatable means each movable between on and ofi positions and including a magnetic rotor and stator, control means alternately energiza-ble and deenergizable to change the magnetism of each stator, a timer for controlling the periods of energization, a second timer for controlling the periods of deenergization, means including cooperating relays for coordinating the timers for successively energizing and deenergizing said control means, means settable for a predetermined number of cycles of energization and deenergization, means for registering each cycle, reset means for said registering means, means operable upon completion of the predetermined number of cycles for stopping operation of said motivatable means and for effecting operation of said reset means, and a master control for determining which of the motivatable means are to be operated.

8. A target, an actuating means therefor comprising motivatable means for supporting said target for movement between on and 01T positions, a device for moving said target from one of said positions to another upon energization and deenergization thereof, a timer for controlling the periods of energization, a second timer for controlling the periods of deenergization, means including cooperating relays for coordinating the timers for successively energizing and deenergizing said device, means settable for a predetermined number of cycles of energization and deenergization, means for registering each cycle, reset means for said registering means, and means operable upon completion of the predetermined number of cycles for stopping operation of the apparatus and for eifecting operation of said reset means.

FRANK E. McAVOY.

. v CERTIFICATE'OF CORRECTION. 4 Patent No. '2, 507, -l-7- January 5, 19 5.

. FRANK E; McAVOY.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 1, second column, line 25, for "supports" read -support-; page 5, first column, 1ine 12, for "eample" read -e xample--'; line 55, for "controls" read ;-'control-,; page 5, first column, line 15, claim 5, for "gizing and deenergizing operation when the said" read -pr1si ng motivatable means for supporting said and'that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record 'of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and seeled this 9th day of February, A. D. 1915.

Henry Van Arsdale, (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents; 

